US Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori's recent visit to Gaza brought her a deeper understanding of the humanitarian crisis that is impacting the 1.5 million Palestinians in the region.

International relief agency Oxfam is urging the European Union to lift a year-long suspension of aid to the Hamas-led government as the Palestinian people sink deeper into poverty.

In a move that has been welcomed by campaigners, including many Christians, an influential group of British MPs has called on the British government to consider using economic pressure against Israel over its treatment of the Palestinian people.